Lock up, forget Loughner

November 9, 2012

Loughner, 24, killed six and wounded 13 in January 2011 at an Arizona supermarket where then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was conducting a public event.

Giffords was severely wounded after being shot in the head. Among other limitations, she is partially blind, walks with a limp and has lost the use of her right arm. She resigned from Congress to focus on her recovery.

The former congresswoman was at Loughner's sentencing on Thursday. She didn't speak at the hearing. Her husband told Loughner, "Every day is a continuous struggle to do those things she once was so good at."

Under a plea agreement with the federal government, Loughner will spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole. He received seven consecutive life sentences plus 140 years in federal prison.

The deal spared Loughner a possible death sentence, although Arizona authorities haven't said whether they will file state charges that could result in an execution. There seems to be little benefit from that prosecution as long as the federal convictions stand.

Now, those wounded by the shooting and the families of the victims have a chance to bring this horrible chapter in their lives to a close. A state prosecution, along with inevitable appeals, would only prolong the pain caused by Loughner.

Susan Hileman, who was shot three times in the attack, told Loughner in court on Thursday, "And now I walk out of this courtroom and into the rest of my life and I won't think of you again."

We hope for her benefit, that's true.

Loughner has taken so much. He doesn't deserve another moment of our time.